
International Premiere
Lin Jing-Jie’s doc is a detailed, deeply poignant tribute to one of history’s great filmmakers. King Hu (1932-1997) was a consummate film artist—a sure hand not only at directing, but also drawing, calligraphy, acting, and other arts. Lin assembles actors, choreographers, critics, scholars, producers, fellow directors, and others who knew and loved Hu; their tributes and analyses form a mosaic-like depiction.
Part I is centred on Hu as an artist, with wide-ranging discussion of masterpieces like Dragon Inn (1967) and A Touch of Zen (1971). Cast and crew members reveal the master’s grasp of film production in its many facets, while directors such as John Woo, Tsui Hark, and Ann Hui discuss the fully realized films. Part II is more biographical, taking us through a life which took Hu from China to Hong Kong, and Taiwan to California, where his unrealized final film was to be set. Lin’s film is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man, and a must-see for lovers of East Asian cinema.
Presented by
Media Partner
Community Partner
Taiwan
2022
Mandarin
Book Tickets
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
No Other Choice
Adapting Donald E. Westlake's novel of ruthless corporate head-hunting The Ax, virtuoso filmmaker Park Chan-wook whips up his trademark blend of high style, suspense, and satire, in keeping with his classics Oldboy, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave.
OBEX
A computer nerd is transported into a video game fantasy world when his dog is taken by the evil demon Ixaroth. Alberty Birney’s lo-fi adventure combines analog horror with RPG mechanics, rendered with nostalgic black-and-white vaporwave aesthetics.
Dead Lover
A foul-smelling gravedigger’s romance ends in tragedy, spurring her to attempt a resurrection through a madcap series of science experiments. Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie’s film is a zany DIY horror that zaps fresh life into Mary Shelley’s classic.
The Love That Remains
Anna and Magnús have separated, leaving her to raise their three children as he spends long stretches at sea, working as a fisherman. As the seasons pass, their emotions ebb and flow. A richly conceived story with unexpected delight and humour.
Image: © Hlynur Pálmason
Cutting Through Rocks
Winner of Sundance's World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize, Cutting Through Rocks follows Sara Shahverdi — motorcyclist, midwife, and first-ever councilwoman elected in her Iranian village. A vérité triumph by Sara Khaki & Mohammadreza Eyni.
Credits
Producer
Hsu Hui-lin, Steven Tu
Cinematography
Tan Heong-song
Editor
Lin Jing-jie, Shih Chien-yu
Original Music
Sky Lee, Weng La-fa
Director

Lin Jing-jie
Lin Jing-jie’s work has been honoured at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and the Golden Horse Awards. He received the International Critics’ Week Award at the Venice Film Festival with his 2007 film The Most Distant Course.
Filmography: The Most Distant Course (2007); The Man Behind the Book (2011); Dear Mother Earth (2011); Elena (2014)